Butterfly and yellow rose

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4 today

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For Today...

'I cannot tell how He whom angels worship'

Well-crafted hymn, one of those which goes from birth to second coming - set to the beautiful Londonderry Air.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=62wk5KvI7-w - a Songs of Praise recording - lovely, but only the first two verses.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zItma-BlmM8 - Salisbury Cathedral choir, with all four verses.

(29/10/2025)

Recent links

'Father, we love You'

A Trinitarian-type chorus of praise and worship: it's been around a long time, but it's still good to use from time to time. Fun to play, too, with plenty of opportunities to add colour.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QltVKW6wXdo - this is a "Thy Name" rather than a "Your Name" recording. ("You" recordings are quite rare on Youtube, for some reason.) The stereo isn't mixed:- the vocal is on one channel and the accompaniment on the other.

(28/10/2025)

'The Trumpets Sound'

Great fun, and a great excuse to mix in the steel drum sounds prominently.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=izym6R3vlF4 - the original Kendrick recording from Make Way for the Cross

(27/10/2025)

'God is Love, let Heaven adore Him'

A fine hymn, full of meaning... which has to be sung to Abbot's Leigh! (So many great 87.87.D tunes, and some people use Hyfrydol for this as well...)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyYWW_P9MH4 - a Songs of Praise recording.

(26/10/2025)

'Angel voices ever singing'

A golden oldie I haven't played for a long time. It used to be such a favourite of one minister I've worked with, I wrote an alternative tune, just for variety. (I called it Angel Tuesday. Perhaps I'll record it sometime - perhaps I won't.)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOf3ATIJw18 - from the choir of Norwich Cathedral.

(25/10/2025)

'As we are gathered'

A golden oldie, but still useful - either near the top of a service, or leading into communion.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCdD5Ouq-2Q - an interesting arrangement.

(24/10/2025)

'Such Love, pure as the whitest snow'

A Graham Kendrick song, well written as ever, and one which I prefer to take quietly and gently.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XODaTctCjvQ - album recording with the obligatory modulation up a tone for the final verse.

(23/10/2025)

'Faithful One, so unchanging'

Well-known and popular chorus.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PjSO5Ihl0M - a long version, but nicely done. Guitar-based.

(22/10/2025)

'Here I am, waiting (Come live in me)'

One of the Reuben Morgan songs I like to keep in repertoire. I like straight solo piano for this.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNiJZIs_tgk - Hillsong recording.

(21/10/2025)

'Beauty for brokenness'

A very direct, wide-ranging, challenging and powerful song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=08utbDFP9AE - the 'official' Graham Kendrick rendering, modulation and all, as featured on his website.

(20/10/2025)

'I shall praise You O God from my soul'

A Psalm 138 paraphrase by John Bell. Makes a good opener.

www.facebook.com/Tayport-Parish-Church-Fife-493775640806987 (...) - a trio from Tayport Parish Church.

(19/10/2025)

'My hope is built on nothing less / Cornerstone'

Successful song which combines large chunks of an old hymn with a new tune and chorus. As with many such songs, the vocal range isn't ideal for congregational singing, but hey, it's great for the band.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvLxZEU02uI - a live Hillsong recording.

(18/10/2025)

'Sing Praises all you peoples'

Or, Laudate omnes gentes. A Taizé chant of praise.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NQsqK_hMkI - in English, with a good range of variation of expression. There are 15 seconds of silence at the start which might have you checking your audio.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2IBCcx77LQ - from Taize, and in Arabic.

(17/10/2025)

'Jesus, Lover Of My Soul (Oakley)'

We used to use this song quite often - it's a good one.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-ZdMOx_HY - starts with the end section - nicely understated arangement.

(16/10/2025)

'Say the word '

Song of encounter and healing from Stuart Townend. In terms of accompaniment, less is more.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUZ2ccaRCkQ - studio recording.

(15/10/2025)

'Turn your eyes upon Jesus'

Useful and pretty timeless worship/prayer 4-liner. (Actually, the chorus from a hymn which fell out of use long before my time.)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7r0Br_HNs - Hillsong version.

(14/10/2025)

'As the deer pants for the water'

Golden oldies don't come much more golden than this.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=peZudXt9faU - languid, flowing arrangement.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgKv87rAEE0 - an unusual (wedding band) arrangement of this very familiar song (not least for having only two verses).

(13/10/2025)

'Great is Thy Faithfulness'

Early 20th century (and very popular) hymn, that sounds older!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKIqmdfHSk - a Songs of Praise recording. Very slightly fast, but real congregational singing.

(12/10/2025)

'How lovely is your dwelling place'

The Matt Redman version has become my preferred one. From a lead musician's point of view, it works well with a bit of gentle distortion in the bridge passage, either from the Hammond or the electric guitar. Elsewhere, a good sustained electric piano should be in the mix, and it's a good excuse to hang out the tubular bells too.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PdXmvMTyx0 - a version from the author.

(11/10/2025)

'I will offer up my Life'

I prefer this one done fairly simply... an electric piano sound suits it well, played gently for a soft tone.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWXWHdgapjI - a Matt Redman album recording.

(10/10/2025)

'Father in Heaven how we Love You'

Not the easiest rhythm for a congregation to get hold of, but a good worship song, whether it gets smoothed out or not!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pWINTctJVc - nice rendering, with the obligatory chorus repeat modulation... plus a nice little twist at the end.

(09/10/2025)

 

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